The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application to the Presidency to access justice minister Thembi Simelane’s report on her alleged involvement in the VBS Mutual Bank looting scandal.
According to the party, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office confirmed receiving the report on 11 September.
DA WANTS TO ACCESS THEMBI SIMELANE’S REPORT ON VBS ALLEGATIONS
As first reported by the Daily Maverick in August, Simelane received R575 600 from VBS-linked broker Gundo Wealth Solutions to purchase a coffee shop in Sandton. This was during her tenure as Polokwane mayor.
As previously reported the corrupt investment brokerage was owned by Ralliom Razwinane, who is currently on trial for fraud, corruption, and money laundering related to his role in facilitating connections and “investments” between municipalities, including the Polokwane Municipality, and VBS.
On 6 September, Simelane appeared before the justice and constitutional development portfolio committeeto answer for the dodgy loan.
Simelane told members of Parliament she thought Gundo Wealth Solutions was a registered financial service provider when MPs asked her why she applied for an expensive loan, which she claims she paid back with 47.5% interest, instead of approaching commercial banks.
The DA, ActionSA, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), among others, called for Simelane to step aside from her role pending the current investigation into her R500 000 loan from Gundo.
On Thursday, 28 November, DA spokesperson on justice and constitutional development Glynnis Breytenbach said the application was made in the public interest to allow the public to judge all facts in this matter for themselves.
Breytenbach said that shortly after the news broke, Ramaphosa requested a report from Simelane regarding the money received from VBS Mutual Bank but has yet to take action.
“Despite receiving the report three months ago, the President has failed to take action or cannot appreciate the untenable conflict of interest this has created. It cannot be that a minister of justice, accused of corruption, can continue to oversee the Justice system, and more importantly, the National Prosecuting Authority, the very body tasked with investigating her,” Breytenbach said.
DO YOU THINK RAMAPHOSA SHOULD’VE PLACED SIMELANE ON LEAVE IN RELATION TO THE ALLEGATIONS LEVELLED AGAINST HER?
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